Texas Border Business
By Amanda Sotelo
With the demand for insurance agents rising across the region, state and nation, South Texas College has partnered with SafeGuard Insurance Agency, to offer a first-of-its-kind course that will prepare students to enter the insurance industry.
STC Dean for Continuing, Professional and Workforce Education Olivia de la Rosa, said introducing The Property and Casualty Insurance License Preparation Course is a new venture for the college, one that she said will bring professional opportunities to those in the area.
“We’re excited to be able to provide our community with another program that will help individuals not only obtain a job at a sustainable wage, but build a career,” said De la Rosa.
The 18-hour, $126 course offered through STC’s Continuing Education department, begins March 28, and prepares students to sit for the Texas Department of Insurance Property and Casualty Exam, which when successfully passed allows an individual to become a licensed insurance agent.
Once licensed, a person can then sell auto, home and business insurance, according to SafeGuard Agency Principal (owner) Abraham C. Padron.
“We were really inspired to work with STC because of the hundreds of programs they offer and the partnerships they have formed across our region,” said Padron. “This is one more way for STC to change lives. They’re going to help us fill a need, a demand for skilled insurance professionals.”
McAllen-based SafeGuard Insurance Agency has offices from Laredo to Brownsville and offers more than 13 types of insurance ranging from home, auto, business to health, motorcycles, recreational vehicles and pets.
Padron said the agency also works on a national level with organizations such as the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America, which is encouraging local agents to take part in recruitment and training efforts.
Padron and his brother, former NASA aerospace engineer and SafeGuard Insurance Agency Operations Manager Juan Padron, will be teaching the course. Together the siblings have over 40 years of combined insurance experience.
“Our goal is to gauge the appetite of those in our community interested in becoming insurance professionals,” said Abraham. “This is the first step toward an exciting and rewarding career and we encourage anyone interested in making this a career, not just a job, to enroll. They’ll be gaining a great deal of in-depth knowledge into our industry.”
Abraham added that the outlook for an insurance professional is positive with successful agents in his office making anywhere from $67,000 to more than $100,000 per year.
The profession is projected to grow over the next decade with approximately 52,700 possible openings, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
“The demand occupation list from our local workforce board, shows that there is a demand for insurance sales agents in our area, so we know that individuals who enroll in the program and pass their licensing exam will be able to find employment,” said De la rosa. “We are grateful to the Padrons for making us aware of the need that exists in this industry and for working with us to develop this program.”
Abraham said he looks forward to growing the partnership with STC and expanding on the programs they can offer those looking to build careers in the insurance industry.
For more information or to enroll in STC’s Property and Casualty Insurance License Preparation Course, contact STC’s Continuing, Professional and Workforce Education department at 956-872-1693 or visit https://www.southtexascollege.edu/cpit/cpwe.html.
